Awareness, use and attitudes of students towards e-books: differences based on gender, discipline and degree level

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Jbeen ◽  
Shafiq Ur Rehman ◽  
Khalid Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Difference Of Opinion ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Degree Level ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the level of awareness, use and attitudes of students regarding e-books. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative research design based on the survey method. A structured questionnaire was designed and used for data collection from four different universities of Pakistan. A total of 305 responses were collected from a sample of 400, and 303 of those responses were used for data analysis. Findings The results of this study indicated that students were aware of e-books and used them in their daily lives. Most of the respondents had a positive attitude towards e-books and indicated that they considered e-books are easy to find and support them in their assignments. Online features of e-books were important to them. There was a significant difference of opinion found among students of different disciplines regarding the use of e-books. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to four disciplines in four universities, one discipline per university. Therefore, its findings may not be applied to other universities or other disciplines. Practical implications This paper offers a new idea to academic libraries related to purchasing e-books. This study will provide guidelines to information professionals for development of their e-book collection and implementation of innovative approaches in library services or e-books services to facilitate their users according to their need. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on the level of awareness, use and attitudes of university students towards e-books in Pakistan.

scholarly journals Exposure to and usage of e-banking channels

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-148
Author(s):  
Henry Inegbedion ◽  
Emmanuel Edo Inegbedion ◽  
Samuel Jesuorobo Osifo ◽  
Sunday C. Eze ◽  
Adebanji Ayeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Design ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Internet Banking ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Modified Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose Emphasis of previous research on e-banking has been on factors that influence its adoption or constraints to the adoption or the extent to which customer awareness influences its adoption. This study investigated “Exposure to/usage of e-banking channels: Implications for customer awareness and attitude in Nigeria”. The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which consumers’ exposure to and usage of e-banking channels influence their awareness and attitude towards e-banking in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study used the quantitative research design; specifically, the conclusive research design was used and data collection was done through the survey method. The population of the study consisted of the customers of EcoBank, First bank and Zenith bank in Edo, Kogi and Kwara states of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit the desired data from 480 respondents selected from 30 branches of 3 banks in two states. One sample t test was used to test for significance of the usage of e-banking channels to customers’ awareness and attitude towards e-banking. Subsequently, regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive power of the e-banking channels. Findings Customers’ exposure to and usage of ATM, internet banking and mobile banking has significant influence on consumers’ attitude towards e-banking in Nigeria. In view of the findings, a modified model of customer usage and attitude towards e-banking in Nigeria is proposed. Research limitations/implications The customer’s inability to exercise absolute right on the banking option to use at all times and the non-inclusion of other channels of e-banking whose usage can influence consumers’ awareness and attitude towards e-banking. Practical implications The need for financial institutions, especially banks, to expose their customers to e-banking channels to demystify their fears as well as increase their awareness and thus influence their attitude to e-banking. Social implications Exposure of bank customers to e-banking will reduce cash transactions and thus help to significantly reduce social vices associated with physical cash, especially armed robbery. Originality/value The work is a departure from previous studies because it is the only one that has emphazised exposure to e-banking as a solution to awareness creation and positive attitude of customers. Its value lies in its potential to make e-banking user friendly in no distance time.

scholarly journals Is English Language a Barrier in Research Productivity Among Information Professionals? A Descriptive Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 162-173
Author(s):  
Muhammad Tariq ◽  
Tooba Ahmad ◽  
Shafiq ur Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Research Productivity ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Information Professionals

The present study aims to highlight the issue with a specific reference of the information professionals about "English language as a barrier" in their research productivity. It further explores how information professionals acknowledge the challenges related to language barriers and to know their training needs to learn the (four) skills of English. The researchers proceed with a brief history of English as a "lingua franca" and how it turned out to be a barrier in the path of researchers belonging to information professionals. Survey method of quantitative research approach is used to probe out the issue regarding how the language can reduce the research productivity. A structured questionnaire was developed to conduct the research. Through convenient sampling technique, 357 information professionals, librarians and LIS research students were selected as sample and accessed to collect the data. Only 258 (72%) valid responses were received and considered to obtain the results. The study found that English language is a huge barrier for the research productivity of the respondents. The respondents also agree that there is positive relationship between training to learn English language and the research productivity. Respondents need training for all in four skills like reading, speaking, writing and listening. The results also show significant difference in language as a barrier based on gender, qualification and type of institute. The study also reveals that with the help of training sessions, the research productivity can be increased. This study will help the LIS schools to revise their syllabus as per need of the stake holders. Professional associations, policy makers and students can address this issue on professional and academic platform to overcome the language gap and deficiencies. The present research also put a stress to make English language as a mandatory part of the curriculum to increase the research productivity among information professionals.

Consumer perception vs sensory assessment of the quality of clothes of selected brands available on the Polish market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Salerno-Kochan ◽  
Paweł Turek
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Sensory Quality ◽  
Brand Names ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Sensory Assessment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Consumer Assessment

PurposeThe aim of the study reported in this article was to establish whether the quality of clothes of a given brand is perceived and assessed by consumers at the same level. An additional purpose was to identify the features that characterize the quality of popular, among Polish young female consumers, clothing brands and to classify them according to their quality level (perceived and assessed).Design/methodology/approachThe article presents two approaches to consumer assessment of the quality of clothes: the survey method, in which the product quality was determined by 320 Polish female young respondents (19–25) based on their own previous experiences and impressions related to a particular clothing brand, and a direct assessment of shirts of selected brands using a sensory quality assessment method, a five-point hedonic scale with the verbal anchor (115 evaluators).FindingsThe research has revealed a significant difference between the perception of selected quality features of brands and the consumer assessment of the products. The perception maps developed based on the PROFIT analysis (PROperty FITting) as well as on cluster analysis provided interesting information about the situation of selected brands and their features in comparison with others and allowed to identify strong and weak features characterizing a given category.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has several limitations. First and foremost, the research results cannot be generalized to all consumers because they encompass the results from one national context and one population of respondents (young females). It should also be noted that the conducted research comprises only the most popular clothing brands available on the Polish market, in particular, the fast fashion segment brands. Furthermore, it would be advisable to carry out a sensory assessment of the quality of other clothing items offered under the brand names investigated.Practical implicationsThis research could be a valuable source of information for clothing company managers, thanks to which they could better manage their brand and its position on the market. When undertaking marketing activities consisting of building positive perceptions about the product, it is important to make sure that the product offers an attractive sensory experience. When real quality deviates from consumer perceptions about the quality, managers should take corrective actions to restore and even improve the brand image in the eyes of the consumer, as well as to ensure the brand and the products offered under it a stable position on the market.Originality/valueBy comparing two approaches to consumer quality assessment, discrepancies between declared and real (sensory) quality of clothes have been identified and the distinctive features that differentiate selected brands regarding their quality level have been indicated.

Flexibility decision pathways in the management of uncertainty in property development: experience from an emerging market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele ◽  
Abel Olaleye
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Market ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Property Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Development Experience ◽  
High Level ◽  
Stratified Analysis ◽  
Management Of Uncertainty ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the flexible decision pathways adopted by development advisors in the management of uncertainty in property development. Specifically, the study examines the quantitative techniques adopted by development advisors, the level of adoption of real options analysis (ROA) vis-à-vis the level of adoption of heuristics. Finally, the types of options exercised in property development were analysed. This was with a view to providing information that could mitigate the challenges of risk and uncertainty and increasing investment failure associated with property development in Nigeria, an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a survey method and was conducted on development advisors in property development companies/estate surveying and valuation firms in Nigeria. A total of 195 development advisors participated in the survey. The respondents were required to rate, on a five-point Likert scale, the level of adoption of the quantitative models, heuristics and the types of flexibility exercised during development. The data were analysed using mean rating, one-sample t-test and analysis of variance. Findings The results revealed that there was a preference for the use of traditional techniques, while probabilistic appraisal models and other contemporary methods such as ROA are seldom adopted by development advisors. While there was a significantly high level of adoption of heuristics, the stratified analysis examining the profile of the respondents and the level of adoption of ROA and heuristics suggests that years of experience influenced the level of adoption of both the ROA and heuristics by the development advisors. The analysis of the types of flexibility showed that staging/phasing and changing the initial use/design were the most prevalent flexibility pathways adopted during the development. However, the study found that there was no significant difference concerning the choice of flexibility being adopted by development advisors who used ROA and those who did not. Practical implications The study provides an understanding of the decision pathways adopted by development advisors in an emerging market like Nigeria. Originality/value The paper contributes to studies on decision-making pathways in the management of uncertainty under dynamic conditions by development advisors in emerging markets.

Entrepreneurial intentions of university students: a case-based study

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 393-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramo Palalić ◽  
Veland Ramadani ◽  
Arnela Ðilović ◽  
Alina Dizdarević ◽  
Vanessa Ratten
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Experience

Purpose This study aims to examine the entrepreneurial intentions of university students at the International University of Sarajevo. For this purpose, the entrepreneurial desires and entrepreneurial orientations of the students across several demographic variables were measured. These variables included prior entrepreneurial experience, student’s gender, faculty, year of study and attitude towards more courses on entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, the research also examined how business environment influences the entrepreneurial intentions of students by considering the same set of variables. Design/methodology/approach The objectives of this paper have been achieved by using a quantitative research instrument, where the cross-sectional survey method for collecting primary data is used. In total, 173 usable responses have been collected from the beginning of April to the end of May in the academic year 2015/2016. Findings The results indicate that the greater the demotivation with the current business surrounding, the smaller the entrepreneurial intentions of the students are when the prior entrepreneurial experience, gender, year of study and attitude towards more courses on entrepreneurship are considered. The study suggests that improving the overall business surrounding and entrepreneurial education might increase the entrepreneurial intentions of the students. Originality/value This is the first paper that treats entrepreneurial intentions of University students in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

scholarly journals Does Knowledge about Earthquake Vary with Respondent’s Socio-Demographic Dimensions? A Study in Sylhet City of Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Mufti Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Family Type ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Sample Size Estimation ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Change Perception ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Climate Change Perception ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The prime and foremost purpose of this study was to explore climate change perception among indigenous people living in Sylhet, Bangladesh. This study also tried to investigate the nexus between some socio-demographic dimensions of the respondents and their perception regarding climate change. The present study followed descriptive-explanative research design where survey method used to collect necessary data. In case of survey method, a self-developed semi structured questionnaire was provided to the respondents for collecting relevant data. Total number of population was 75 and 63 respondents has been interviewed following the sample size estimation of Nurul Islam (2011). Findings of this study revealed that, there is a statistically significant difference between some socio-demographic dimensions (like; Age, Family type, Education and Income) and climate change perception. Furthermore, no statistically significant relationship found between Gender, Religion, Savings and climate c...

scholarly journals Students’ Mindset and Level of Anxiety for General Mathematics among Grade 11 Students: A Case of Jagobiao National High School, Philippines

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Sheena Marie Y. Mabandos ◽  
Jerald C. Moneva
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Grade 11

In today’s generation, mathematics will be very useful in our daily lives. Using mathematics is a tool when meeting life-related circumstances involving computation; hence mathematics is particularly important on a daily basis. This research study is entitled “Mindset and Level of Anxiety in General Mathematics among Grade 11 students”. The study focused on the association between the mindset of the students if it is fixed or growth and their anxiety levels in General Mathematics. This research study is quantitative research; it is using a descriptive-correlation design. This study was answered by all Grade 11 students who are taking General Mathematics in the first semester in Jagobiao National High School. In gathering the data, the checklist survey questionnaire was being used. The result found out that students of Jagobiao National High School are more on growth mindset. Students with a growth mindset lead to a moderate level of anxiety in General Mathematics. By using the chi-square, it tells that mindset and level of anxiety has a significant difference. School heads, faculties, and staff can also have monthly activities to diminish the anxiety level of the students. They could also motivate or cheer up students to become growth-minded.

From physical to digital: what drives generation Z for mobile commerce adoption?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepti Verma ◽  
Vaibhav Tripathi ◽  
Ajai Pratap Singh
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Mobile Commerce ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Adopt ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose This study aims to identify factors affecting generation Z as the early adopters of mobile commerce (m-commerce). The research seeks to explore their behavioral intention to adopt m-commerce in India with consideration of gender differences while providing empirical validation for the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach In this study, a modified TPB model has been used to explain generation Z’s intention to adopt m-commerce. The proposed model was tested using a survey method with a sample of 245 students from a private university in Northern India. Subgroup analysis was performed to find gender differences in the process of adopting m-commerce. Findings All three independent constructs have a positive influence on the behavioral intention of generation Z to adopt m-commerce. Further, the male subgroup has a lower beta value for attitude and higher beta value for subjective norm in comparison to the female subgroup. For perceived behavioral control, no significant difference in beta value across gender could be established. Practical implications A better understanding of generation Z behavioral intentions will be of great use to telecom companies, marketers and electronic commerce companies to formulate strategies to expedite the use of m-commerce. As gender plays an important role in attitude and subjective norms, companies are advised to target their communication tactics in accordance to gender. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to test TPB and generation Z association in the context of m-commerce adoption in India. Data regarding the difference between the two genders has also shed light on the uniqueness of the context.

The relationship between sports manager behaviour and locus of control: An application on students of faculties of sport sciences

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-404
Author(s):  
İlker Günel ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Sports Management ◽  
External Locus ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Manager Behavior ◽  
External Locus Of Control ◽  
Manager Behaviors ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the locus of control and the sports manager behavior levels of the students studying in the department of sports management of the faculty of sport sciences. The study was conducted by the correlational survey method, one of the quantitative research designs. Population of the study consists of students studying in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades in the departments of sports management of the faculties of sport sciences from various state and private universities. The sample of the study conducted using the nonprobability sampling method consists of 718 sports management students (male = 452, female = 266). In the study, data were collected with the sports manager behavior scale and the internal-external locus of control scale. Data were analyzed by means of analysis of normality, t-test, one-way Anova test and multiple regression tests. The study found a significant difference between students' gender, grade levels, university type and sports manager behaviors. There was no significant effect of internal-external locus of control levels on sports manager behaviors. In conclusion, it was found that the students' sport manager behavior and internal-external locus of control levels were quite high, and female students have higher sports manager behavior levels compared to male students, and the higher the level of grade, the higher the levels of sports manager behavior.

Cognitive needs and use of social media: a comparative study of gratifications sought and gratification obtained

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Ashfaq Hussain ◽  
Ghulam Shabir ◽  
Taimoor-Ul-Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Information Comprehension

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the gratification sought and gratification obtained for cognitive needs from social media among information professionals in the limelight of uses and gratification theory. Cognitive needs are related to knowledge, acquiring information, comprehension etc., and gratification sought and gratification obtained are two distinct components of the uses and gratification theory. Design/methodology/approach For this quantitative research study, a self-administered survey questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants of the study. Sample of this study was 700 information professionals who are necessarily users of social media. Findings Finding of this study depicted that gratification obtained and gratification sought from social media for cognitive needs are different from each other, and information professionals need to revisit their social media use for cognitive needs. Research limitations/implications The present study is limited to gratification sought and gratification obtained for cognitive needs among information professionals. Practical implications This study has determined that information professionals need to revisit their social media use for cognitive needs, as the obtained gratifications are different from gratification sought from social media. Social implications Social media provides versatility of information in different forms and large numbers of information professionals are the users of social media around globe. Perceived use of social media for cognitive needs has been resulted into destructed gratifications. This study has brought the actual outcome of the use of social media to the audience so that they may rectify their social media use. Originality/value This study is a significant contribution for information professionals to review the gratifications sought and obtained from social media for cognitive needs. It has been established in this study that gratifications sought are significantly different from gratifications obtained from social media among information professionals.

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